New and Emerging Peach Fruit Characteristics

Transcription

1 New and Emerging Peach Fruit Characteristics What s on the horizon Paige Burns, Hort Agent Richmond County

2 Conversation with Dr. John Clark, UofA Interesting history of UofA and peach breeding in general 1980 s: shift in program New focus: White, low acid, different flesh types, Bacterial Spot resistance Goal: more choices for growers, better for direct market

3 Melting New Flesh types revealed Non-melting hold up better, cling Non-softening - crispy Slow-melting something new! stays on tree longer, holds firmer after picking, ultimately becomes melting Not sure where flesh types are coming from, genetically speaking

4 So What! Does Any of this Amount to Anything to Peach Growers? The biggest issue is if more mature fruit can be achieved and still be able to get it to the customer Since consumer frustrations with peaches often are based on unripe fruit being harvested, resulting in low quality and mealiness etc., it appears that flesh types that can allow more mature fruit harvested can have potential

5 Enter RosBREED DNA mapping Funded 2009; concluded 2013 Multi-partner, to improve rosaceous crops through targeted genomics Marker assisted breeding Market based information used to determine desired traits

6 $14.4 million project peaches identifiable by variety name Not just peaches Address consumer frustration with poor fruit quality Peach texture - key traits identified Slow melting, non-softening, slow ripening, and stony hard Partner states

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8 So, An Academic Curiosity or Something More Important? I believe: these flesh types can expand options for harvest maturity and product diversification, and can expand the genetic basis in flesh types in ongoing breeding programs The molecular component can increase efficiency in breeding Progress, that makes a difference to the grower and consumer, can be achieved!

9 New Peach Variety- Souvenirs Souvenirs: released 2012 Yellow slow-melting low-acid High skin color Freestone Winblo parent

10 Souvenirs Stored 0 (L) and 3 (R)Weeks

11 Where to get these? Cumberland Valley Nurseries, Inc. PO Box 471 McMinnville, TN Phone: Fax:

12 The West Coast Dave Wilson Nursery and Zaiger Genetics In the Fruit Tasting Seminars conducted by Dave Wilson Nursery, we have noticed that young people prefer fruit that is firm rather than soft-ripe. With their higher sugarto-acid balance when firm-ripe, the new low acid peach and nectarine varieties developed by the Zaigers are ideal for today's marketplace. Adams Nursery in Pennsylvania sells; purchase directly from Dave Wilson

13 Conversation with Stacy Anderson, Dave Wilson Nursery Works exclusively with Zaiger genetics Shift over past 5-6 years: return to the classic peach Yellow, high acid Flavor the priority. High sugars Brix Still a market for white, low acid, but targeted Don t select for Bacterial Spot resistance

14 South Carolina Clemson s peach breeding program Dr. Ksenija Gasic RosBREED Focus on improved disease resistance Brown rot, bacterial spot Resistance to environmental stress Drought tolerance, late spring frost Specialty crop block grant for breeding

15 Savannah Conference: Grower survey for Specialty Crop Block Grant Reflects understanding of new customer interests (health,taste) Beyond fruit size, appearance Goal to identify varieties with taste, sugar content to serve as parent stock

16 Possible Outcomes Breeders are identifying consumer preferences New technology allows faster development Focus on product diversification: to develop multiple markets Identify areas of potential customer expansion: Asian/Hispanic cultures prefer low acid Some customers prefer firmer fruit

17 The Blueberry Example America doubles blueberry consumption FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News, 05/ The Blueberry Council 2012 numbers showing a 5 percent yearover-year increase North Carolina, other Southern States lead the way Factors: adaptive plant varieties, named a superfood (research, marketing), perceived health benefits

18 Dr. Clark I eat a peach to get the taste of blueberries out of my mouth. Reliable fruit quality the key to expanded, reliable sales? Research on health benefits? Peaches inhibit breast cancer metastasis in mice ScienceDaily, March 25, 2014

19 Potential for new varieties Peaches not convenient fruit Flat consumption Fruit consumption Apples: 16 lbs/capita Bananas: 24 lbs Peach: 4.5 lbs One of the Dirty Dozen Focus on disease resistance

20 Great potential to grow the New varieties can: peach market Target specific consumer tastes, improve diversity Capitalize on health and taste interests of consumers Deliver reliable, premium fruit quality Provide disease resistance

21 Thank You!